Bihar continues to reel under intense cold conditions as winter strengthens its grip across the state. A steady fall in night temperatures is expected to make the weather harsher over the next three days. According to the latest assessment, most districts may experience cold wave–like conditions, increasing discomfort for residents. The Meteorological Department has indicated that minimum temperatures could drop further by two to four degrees Celsius during this period.
Cold Day Warning Issued for Several Districts
A cold day warning has been issued for Tuesday in several parts of Bihar. This includes nineteen districts of North Bihar and five districts located in the south-western region of South Bihar. Areas such as West Champaran, East Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya Ji, and Nawada are likely to witness dense fog at isolated locations. Poor visibility during early morning hours may affect daily routines and transport services.
Foggy Mornings and Icy Winds During the Day
In other parts of the state, light to moderate fog is expected during the morning hours. However, as the day progresses, icy winds will continue to blow, intensifying the feeling of cold. These strong westerly winds are making daytime conditions equally uncomfortable despite occasional sunshine. On Monday, most districts recorded a significant drop in minimum temperatures, with some areas witnessing a fall of up to 7.5 degrees Celsius.
Gaya Ji Records Lowest Temperature
Gaya Ji emerged as the coldest location in the state, with the minimum temperature plunging to 5.5 degrees Celsius. This marked a sharp decline of nearly eight degrees within just twenty-four hours. On the other hand, Motihari recorded the highest temperature in the state at 19.4 degrees Celsius. Across Bihar, minimum temperatures ranged between 5.5 and 13.0 degrees Celsius, while maximum temperatures stayed between 14.1 and 19.4 degrees Celsius.
Visibility Drops to Critical Levels
Dense fog significantly reduced visibility in several regions. Gaya Ji reported the lowest visibility level, dropping to just 100 meters. Such conditions raise concerns for road and rail safety, particularly during early morning and late evening hours. Authorities have advised people to remain cautious while commuting and avoid unnecessary travel during peak fog hours.
Patna Sees Temperature Dip Below 10 Degrees Again
The capital city Patna recorded its minimum temperature below ten degrees Celsius for the second time this winter season. Earlier, the temperature had dropped below this mark on December 31, when it was recorded at 9.4 degrees Celsius. On January 1, the temperature fell further to 8.2 degrees Celsius. On Monday, although sunshine appeared after several days, strong westerly winds maintained the chilling effect throughout the day.
Chilling Conditions Continue in Muzaffarpur
Muzaffarpur district is likely to witness light to moderate sunshine over the next two days. Despite this, residents will continue to feel intense cold due to the influence of strong westerly winds driven by the jet stream. Meteorological forecasts suggest that these winds will maintain the shivering cold sensation, keeping temperatures suppressed during both day and night.
Jet Stream Preventing Temperature Rise
Senior scientist Dr. A. Sattar from the Rural Meteorology Center at Pusa explained that the persistent jet stream effect is playing a major role in sustaining cold conditions. Strong westerly winds are continuously blowing, allowing icy air from the Himalayan region to enter Bihar. As a result, minimum temperatures are not showing any significant increase. With temperatures remaining below ten degrees Celsius for several consecutive days, the cold is being felt more intensely than usual.
Bhagalpur Sees No Immediate Relief
People in Bhagalpur are also struggling with biting cold and steadily falling temperatures. Weather experts suggest that while there may be a slight rise in daytime temperatures on Tuesday, the minimum temperature is unlikely to change significantly. This means cold conditions will persist for now. Some improvement is expected from Wednesday onwards, though immediate relief appears unlikely.
According to Dr. Birendra Kumar, Nodal Officer of the Rural Agricultural Weather Service at Bihar Agricultural University, there is little chance of relief from cold over the next twenty-four hours. Farmers and daily wage workers have been advised to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from prolonged exposure to low temperatures.
Purnia Remains Under Cold Wave Influence
Purnia district continues to experience severe cold conditions, with the cold wave showing no signs of weakening. This marks the seventh consecutive day of cold wave impact in the region. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for cold day conditions for the next twenty-four hours. Officials stated that there is no major change expected in temperature levels during this period, which could further increase hardships for residents.
Monday was recorded as the coldest day of the season so far in Purnia. The persistent cold has disrupted normal life, particularly affecting children, elderly people, and those engaged in outdoor activities.
Cold Likely to Persist Across Bihar
Overall, Bihar is set to face continued cold conditions over the next few days. Falling night temperatures, dense fog, and strong icy winds are combining to create severe winter discomfort. While slight improvement may be visible in some areas later in the week, the immediate forecast suggests that residents should remain prepared for harsh weather.
Health experts are advising people to limit outdoor exposure during early mornings and nights, use adequate warm clothing, and take care of vulnerable groups. As winter intensifies, authorities remain on alert to monitor conditions and issue further advisories if required.
